Column: Generosity of many far outweighs lunatic few

Facebook was rife with predictions of an earthquake in Rotorua on Sunday.
It seems every loony has surfaced with dire predictions of another big shake somewhere on the planet and it's unsettling the kids - and all of us grown up folks.
Where's Charlie Sheen when you need some good old common sense conversation around the dinner table - or even covered in the media?
At least Saturday was rewarding, as collectors, accompanied by a cacophony of horns and sirens, led the QuakeAid charge. Trailers were loaded with canned food, nappies, personal hygiene items and dried food from the wonderfully giving folk of Rotorua.
It always humbles me that those with the least give most.
One elderly lady's shopping trolley was so laden with canned food she needed two runners to help empty the contents - she is my hero of the weekend.
Economic commentary has heightened the reality that the cost to rebuild following the earthquake could force us into a double-dip recession.
The prospect of this will have business owners thinking even harder about how they can be faster, smarter and leaner.
They will also be focusing on diversification in their individual business units to smooth out the inevitable hurt on the bottom line.
I would hasten to add, employing exceptional staff to fill key positions that provide value to your business must also be a focus. You must demand and expect the best people in your organisation to step up and help take the load, generate fresh thinking and develop new revenue streams.
Sectors are being forced into collaborative thinking and competitors are looking at how co-operation can benefit everyone and ensure the tills keep ringing.
No time is better than now for business to engage in opportunity events such as the Rugby World Cup and look to be part of the value it will create - not just from the event, but from the business legacy thereafter.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has funded a regional business role to ensure business can get value from the event upcoming. I will keep you informed as to where opportunities lie in the coming weeks.
Rotorua has the benefit of a diverse economy - rated sixth most diverse of the 72 territorial authorities.
With a growth focus, we can be one of the stand-out performers if we work as a whole community.
The focus areas, from the economic realignment group and the regional economic priority strategies - particularly in forestry, energy and supply chain - will have immense downstream benefits to our economy.
So, in closing, this year is going to be hard work, but there will be many opportunities to gain from.
In the words of Thomas Edison: "Opportunity is often missed by most because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work."
- Grant Kilby is the general manager for Destination Rotorua Economic Development